Herrschners to Distribute Big Twist Yarn

One of the biggest worries I’ve seen from people with the in-progress closing of Joann craft stores is the loss of Big Twist yarn. Big Twist is a private label yarn that was sold exclusively at Joann (though you can find some colors on Amazon at huge markups). Many crafters like it as their go-to low-cost acrylic yarn because it’s softer than Red Heart Super Saver but similarly came in a wide range of colors, as well as some prints and themed colorways.

There had been a rumor that the yarn was made by Spinrite/Yarnspirations and that they would start making it under one of their own labels such as Caron or Red Heart, but Marly Bird debunked that rumor.

Herrschners has announced that they “will soon be carrying” Big Twist yarn, “bringing you an even wider selection of colors and textures for all your knitting and crochet projects,” according to a statement on their website. No timeline is mentioned but they do suggest signing up for email alerts so you’ll know when the yarn is available.

In case you don’t know this company already, Herrschners is a needlework company that got its start in the late 1800s in Chicago. It has been a catalog company for more than 125 years (and I’ll still get their catalogs in the mail from time to time) and of course now they also sell online. The company is currently based in Stevens Point, WI.

They sell yarn and notions for knitting and crochet as well as needlepoint, latch hook, plastic canvas and other crafts. Since we’re talking about yarn, they carry well-known brands like Red Heart, Caron, Premier and Lion Brand, but also have their own private label brand of yarn. Their Supreme Worsted is probably the closest to a Big Twist option that they currently have.

I know a lot of knitters and crocheters will be relieved to have Big Twist as an option in the future. It’s not quite as convenient as running to your local store to grab a ball when you need it, but at least it will still be available!

[Photo via Joann]

I love the look of mesh tops for summer, but I don’t know that I would ever actually wear one that’s full of giant holes, even though I admit they look cool (in both senses of the word) on other people.

What I would wear, though, is something that’s still lacy but maybe a little bit more subdued, like this chevron lace knit top from Yarnspirations.

This easy to knit T-shirt style top is worked flat in two pieces from the bottom up, using and easy lace pattern that’s a repeat of 10 stitches and four rows (though the wrong side rows are just purled, so there’s only two rows you need to learn the pattern on).

It has little cap sleeves that are worked as part of the top by casting on stitches where you need them.

If you’re new to lace knitting this is a good one to try because the pattern includes both written and charted instructions, and the only skills you need are yarn over, knit two together, slip slip knit and slip 1 knit 2 together pass the slipped stitch over (which makes a centered decrease).

There are four size options available (which they claim is enough to cover XS to 5XL), with finished chest measurements ranging from 38.5 inches (that’s 98 cm) to 59 inches, or 150 cm. The amount of ease would vary widely depending on your size and the size garment you choose. For example the largest size is said to fit a chest measurement from 5258 inches/132-147.4 cm, which gives you a range of ease from 1-7 inches, or 2.5 to 17.78 cm, depending on your size. Just something to be aware of when you think about how you want it to fit.

The project calls for Red Heart Cotton Breeze yarn, which isn’t a yarn I’ve tried yet, but it’s a DK weight acrylic and cotton blend, which should make a lightweight top that’s great for summer.

Grab the free pattern from Yarnspirations.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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